Apparatus for spectrometric based oximetry

Abstract

A spectrophotometric sensor assembly for non-invasive monitoring of a blood metabolite within a subject's body tissue is provided that includes a pad, a light source, and a light detector The light source is operative to emit light signals of a plurality of different wavelengths. The light detector is operative to detect light emitted by the light source and passed through the subject's body tissue. The light detector is at least partially enclosed in EMI shielding. In some embodiments, the light detector and EMI shielding are disposed in a detector housing that encloses the light detector and shielding. The housing is aligned with a detector aperture disposed in the pad.

Description

[0001]Applicant hereby claims priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 865,761 filed Nov. 14, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 868,635 filed Dec. 5, 2006, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.[0002]This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. 2R44NS45488-01 awarded by the Department of Health & Human Services. The Government has certain rights in the invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Technical Field[0004]This invention relates to methods and apparatus for non-invasively determining biological tissue oxygenation utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) techniques in general, and to sensors for use with such techniques in particular.[0005]2. Background Information[0006]Near-infrared spectroscopy is an optical spectrophotometric method that can be used to continuously monitor tissue oxygenation. The NIRS method is based on the principle that light in the near...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]According to the present invention, a NIRS sensor assembly for non-invasive monitoring of blood oxygenation levels in a subject's body is provided. The sensor assembly comprises a pad, at least one light source, at least one light detector, at least one detector housing, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. The light source is operative to emit light signals of a plurality of different wavelengths, including those in the near-infrared range. The light detector is operative to detect light emitted by the light source and passed through the subject's body tissue. The shielding, which is disposed around at least a portion of the light detector, attenuates local EMI and thereby reduces undesirable noise within the light detector signals. The detector housing includes a base and a cap. The base includes a well sized to receive at least a portion of the light detector and shielding. The base and the cap mate to enclose the light detector and shielding. Alternatively, the shielding may be applied to exterior surfaces of the detector housing. The housing is positioned relative to the pad so that the light detector is aligned with a detector aperture disposed in the pad.

[0013]An advantage of the present NIRS sensor assembly is the ease with which it may be manufactured. The detector housings enclose the light detectors and shielding and thereby increase the ease with which the shielding may be incorporated with the detectors. In addition, the detector housings help maintain the shielding in the desired position relative to the detectors.

[0014]Another advantage of the present NIRS sensor assembly is its flexibility and light weight. Patient skin surfaces can be complex, making it difficult to get optical sealing between the sensor and the patient surface. The independent detector housings of the present NIRS sensor assembly are lightweight and enable greater sensor flexibility than prior art devices using a solid spine, and yet maintain light source—light detector separation distances accurately.

[0015]The present NIRS sensor assembly is also cost effective relative to prior art sensors. The independent detector housings may be formed inexpensively, thereby obviating the relatively complex spine used in some sensor designs. As a result of this feature and others, the present NIRS sensor assembly is cost-effective.

Problems solved by technology

Patient skin surfaces can be complex, making it difficult to get optical sealing between the sensor and the patient surface.

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